"It is essential that we ensure all Texas schools are equipped and ready to carry out a strategic plan to secure the safety of students and staff in the event of a threat such as the one that occurred today," Gov. Perry said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by today's tragedy, while our focus here is on doing everything within our power to protect the safety of Texas children whose parents have entrusted them to the care of our public schools."

The governor also referred districts to the Texas School Safety Center (TSSC) at Texas State University as a resource to assist in developing a plan of response or improving an existing plan.

Passed in 2005, Senate Bill 11 required school districts and public junior colleges to adopt and implement a multi-hazard emergency operations plan that includes district employee training and mandatory school drills to prepare students and employees for responding to an emergency.